House of Refuge
P.O. Box 1371
Morganton, NC 28680
828.403.6515

House of Refuge Ministries
A refuge for the poor . . . A shelter from the storm
                                                     Isaiah 25:4
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10 STEPS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS

  1. Know That You Are Special (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
    No matter what people have said to you in the past, and no matter how you feel about yourself right now, always know that you are a unique and special person created by God to fulfill His purposes. Don't ever think otherwise.
  2. Overcome Your Barriers (Philippians 4:13)
    To overcome your personal barriers, you must first admit to the issues that have caused your homelessness. These could be substance abuse, personal hurt, unemployment, physical or mental health, relationship problems or other factors. First, identify your barrier(s) and then take steps toward dealing with these issues one by one. 
  3. Be Realistic (Luke 14:28-30, 1 Corinthians 3:5-14)
    Take small steps toward your goals instead of trying to take giant leaps forward. It's good to have exciting dreams for your future, but be realistic. Most people are not going to jump from being homeless to having a high-paying or high-powered job overnight. So, start with slow, realistic steps. Every step you take toward improving your life is valuable - even the small steps.
  4. Take Personal Responsibility (1 Peter 4:3-5, Hebrews 12:1-2)
    Even if other people have hurt you or you feel that they have partly caused your homelessness, it is your responsibility to choose whether you want to overcome your situation. Finger-pointing should only be directed toward your positive future. Don't have a victim mentality.
  5. Pay Your Debts (Proverbs 22:26-27)
    Just as you don't want injustice to harm you, don't harm others by not paying your debts. If you owe something to another, pay it back. Justice should be a two-way proposition.
  6. Value Relationships (Romans 12:10)
    People are the most valuable asset you have. It is unlikely that you will be able to reach your goals without help or advice from friends, and sometimes from strangers. Learn how to nurture your relationships, and how to reconcile when relationships go bad.
  7. Don't Go It Alone ( Hebrews 13:5-6)
    This is a journey that you do not have to take alone.  God believes  You need continual support from people who value you. Develop relationships with people who will encourage you, tell you the truth about your mistakes, keep you on the right path, and empower you. This does not include people who will simply bail you out and not hold you accountable for your actions.
  8. Always Have Hope (Jeremiah 29:11)
    Without hope, we become disillusioned at the first sign of disappointment. With hope, we can overcome anything, including homelessness. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
  9. Commit to Personal Renewal (Psalm 51:10)
    Renewal is a natural part of life. Commit yourself to bettering your relationships, education, skills, emotional and physical health, and spiritual life.
  10. A Life-Long Journey (Philippians 3:12-14)
    Remember that the process out of homelessness is a hopeful, continuing journey. Commit yourself to the steps above and to maintaining your personal health, and you will be on your way to a personal journey out of homelessness.